“Did you really have to go that far?”
Kanna said, rewrapping Rebecca’s bandages.
The doctor had said yesterday’s fall down the stairs had severely sprained her arm and ankle ligaments.
She couldn’t do strenuous activity for at least two months.
That included marital relations.
Given how obsessively Zeppelin monitored her health, he wouldn’t force her into bed at the cost of her recovery.
“Compared to what I gained, this is a bargain.”
Rebecca smiled, satisfied.
In her past life, Alicia had fallen down the stairs the same way.
She’d falsely accused Rebecca of pushing her out of jealousy.
Her cunning ensured many witnesses.
That day, Rebecca’s entourage doubled.
As punishment, she was banned from visiting the Liberta Sanctuary.
“She did the exact same thing.”
People never change.
But circumstances could.
“So, what happened with Alicia?”
“She’s got a pack of hounds on her now. The count’s furious. Thanks to that, you’re down to just Robert.”
“Perfect. And the guest I requested?”
“I sent word, and they’re coming today.”
“No objections from Zeppelin?”
“He said it’s good—told me to have them visit often. He’s worried about your mental state after this.”
“Worrying about my mind? That’s unlike him.”
Whatever his motive, it worked in her favor.
Rebecca began preparing for her guest.
…
“Rebecca! What happened? Don’t get up.”
“Mother, it’s been a while.”
Rebecca greeted Danae with a warm smile.
Danae’s heart broke seeing her eldest daughter swathed in bandages.
“I heard that Alicia pushed you! I told you to be careful!”
“No, it was an accident. I tried to save her when she fell…”
“How are you supposed to survive here being so kind?”
“What kind of place is this?”
Rebecca’s sharp gaze caught Danae off guard.
She knew her mother was powerless. Still, resentment lingered.
That night in the study, she’d learned the Obelia family was already declining before her marriage to Zeppelin.
The fortune he offered for her hand was immense.
“Rebecca, never bear the count’s child. Even if you do, don’t invest your heart. Once a child’s born, a woman’s trapped.”
On her wedding day, Danae’s trembling voice had said this as she placed the tiara on Rebecca’s head.
Not the advice for a daughter starting a happy marriage.
Her mother knew everything. Rebecca couldn’t shake the feeling her parents had sold her to save the family.
Seeing the hurt in Rebecca’s eyes, Danae’s heart sank.
She despised her own incompetence.
Hearing of Rebecca’s injury, she’d come to confront Zeppelin.
But he’d brushed her off, too busy to meet her.
The steward, with an awkward smile, escorted her, handing her a thick envelope of money.
“The count said it’s for your trouble…”
Danae couldn’t refuse it.
Family welfare trumped pride.
She had two young daughters yet to debut.
The family’s fate rested on Rebecca.
But seeing her injured, the family’s importance faded.
Tears welled in Danae’s eyes.
She grasped Rebecca’s hand, weeping in remorse.
“I won’t make excuses. Rebecca, this place is hell. Let’s run away. We’ll farm somewhere—anything’s better than this.”
Rebecca stared at Danae’s hand.
Emotions surged.
Suppressing them, she said calmly,
“Really? Can you truly abandon everything and live like a commoner? Maybe you could, but Father? My sisters? Can you make them sacrifice for me?”
“Becky…”
Danae’s voice trembled, calling Rebecca’s childhood nickname.
Hearing it, Rebecca’s tears flowed.
She thought she was strong enough, but she wasn’t.
Before her mother, she longed to be a carefree girl.
But she couldn’t.
Kanna silently offered a handkerchief.
Rebecca wiped her tears firmly.
Startled, Danae noticed Kanna, worried their talk would reach Zeppelin.
“Don’t worry. Kanna’s mine.”
Danae glanced between them.
Kanna’s lips twitched upward.
“She called me hers.”
Kanna vowed to write this in her diary.
Rebecca’s cold gaze returned as she spoke.
“Running solves nothing. I need a proper foundation first…”
“Then?”
“I’ll walk out on my own. Mother, let’s leave this wretched Devonshire shadow together.”
“Leave? How?”
“I’m getting a divorce.”
“Divorce…?”
Danae, stunned, couldn’t close her mouth.
This wasn’t the Rebecca she knew.
“And I’ll remarry. To Duke Johannes.”
“Are you alright, dear? Duke Johannes…?”
“Keep it to yourself, especially from Father.”
Danae studied Rebecca’s resolute face.
Her raised eyes and set jaw were a rare sight.
Before becoming a countess, that expression meant Rebecca would achieve anything.
Danae didn’t press further.
Her daughter was fighting to survive the hell she’d been cast into.
She couldn’t pull her down, even if she couldn’t lift her up.
Nodding gravely, Danae asked,
“What do I need to do?”
Rebecca finally smiled.
Her deep blue eyes, like Danae’s, sparkled with determination.
“Want to start a business?”
…
After Danae left, Rebecca felt lonelier.
Memories of joyful family days surfaced.
Back then, she was a dreamy girl, oblivious to this future.
“Feeling stifled?”
Kanna opened the window, letting in cool night air.
Rebecca forced a smile.
“A bit. Being bedridden is stifling.”
“Want to take a walk?”
Rebecca lifted her bandaged foot.
“I can’t walk. Even if I could, Zeppelin wouldn’t let me.”
“There’s always a way. You just haven’t found it.”
Kanna approached and effortlessly lifted Rebecca.
“K-Kanna?”
Gauging her weight, Kanna gritted her teeth.
“So light… That bastard Zeppelin…”
“Kanna, watch yourself.”
“Don’t worry. No hounds are around at this hour. I checked.”
Kanna stepped onto the windowsill.
“Eek!”
Rebecca, peering down, instinctively clung to Kanna’s neck.
Kanna flinched at her touch but jumped.
Fearing a fall, Rebecca shut her eyes, but felt no impact.
Kanna landed softly, staring blankly at her.
“Where to?”
Rebecca had sensed Kanna’s strength, but not this extent.
“I’ll be your legs. Where do you want to go?”
“The lilac garden.”
The previous countess loved that garden.
Zeppelin despised it, so only gardeners visited, making it secluded.
The blooming lilacs filled the air with fragrance.
Rebecca, in Kanna’s arms, strolled through.
Kanna followed her every gesture faithfully.
Only Kanna’s heartbeat broke the quiet night.
In her arms, Rebecca asked,
“Kanna, why don’t you ask?”
“About what?”
“My talk with Mother.”
Rebecca kept replaying Kanna’s expression when she’d feigned fainting.
Kanna had looked devastated, as if the world collapsed.
With her sharp senses, Kanna should’ve known Rebecca was conscious, but she didn’t.
Rebecca’s injury alone had shattered her composure.
In that moment, Rebecca knew Kanna was truly hers.
That’s why she hadn’t sent her away during Danae’s visit.
Kanna spoke slowly.
“Because I trust you.”
“Hm?”
“Whatever you choose, even if it leads to hell, I’ll follow.”
Rebecca, speechless, looked up at Kanna.
Her deep brown eyes were unwavering.
“Shall we rest here?”
Kanna set Rebecca on a white marble bench.
As she draped a shawl over her, Kanna’s eyes sharpened, head snapping up.
“Someone’s here, Lady Rebecca.”
A dark figure moved behind a tree.
…
Robert Crowley stared at Rebecca’s closed door.
With her injuries, it wouldn’t open until Kanna emerged.
Glancing around, he slipped into the garden.
He was supposed to monitor Rebecca, but his mind was too unsettled today.
Knowing most hounds’ routes, he evaded detection easily.
“I need fresh air.”
He recalled his mother’s letter from last night.
<The spark of wisdom hasn’t gone out.>
